News Roundup: Jay Z/Rush Limbaugh, Chris Brown, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and New Music from Islands and Them Crooked Vultures

August 26, 2009

–As Bill O’Reilly did yesterday, Rush Limbaugh has responded to being name-checked in Jay-Z’s new song, “Off That.” (Quote: “This ain’t black versus white, my nigga, we off that. Please tell Bill O’Reilly to fall back. Tell Rush Limbaugh to get off my balls.”) On his radio show yesterday, Limbaugh noted: “Does this, Snerdley, mark a new development in my career to be singled out in a rap song by the famous rapper Jay-Z? I guess it is. As far as I know I have never been mentioned in a rap song by anybody. I guess it means I’ve made it.” Limbaugh then managed to turn the diss into a typical Obama-slamming political rant: “I would remind the rapper Jay-Z: Mr. Z, it is President Obama who wants to mandate circumcision. We had that story yesterday, and that means if we need to save our penises from anybody, it’s Obama.” Click here to hear Limbaugh say “balls,” “penises,” and “Jay-Z.”

–Chris Brown was sentenced yesterday to five years of felony probation, more than 1,400 hours of “labor-oriented service,” and domestic violence counseling, CNN reports. The charges stem from Brown’s February 8th altercation with Rihanna. The day also brought forth a new development: a probation officer’s report revealed that Brown and Rihanna were allegedly involved in two more domestic disputes prior to February 8th. In one of them, the two apparently got into an argument while driving a leased Range Rover in the Bahamas. Brown allegedly got out of the car and broke the front driver side and passenger windows. Yeah, five years sounds about right.

–As for new music out today, Islands have released “Vapours,” the fantastic soulful title track off their upcoming album (the band hits the Bowery Ballroom November 5th). And new Them Crooked Vultures live tracks continue to trickle out via YouTube. Check out “Caligulove” from Saturday’s Lowlands fest in the Netherlands and “Elephants” from Belgium’s Pukkelpop fest the same weekend.

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